Yet, as Washington himself had said, "Influence is not government." One of the chief elements of the Union's strength was that it pressed lightly upon the people. For the first time in the history of America there was an efficient system of import duties. They were almost the sole form of taxation, and, like all indirect taxes, their burden was not felt. Above all, the commercial benefits of the new Union were seen from North to South. Trade between the States was absolutely unhampered, and a brisk interchange of products went on. The country was prosperous; its shipping increased, and foreign trade was also growing steadily.
[Sidenote: Relations with the States.]
So far the Union had met no violent resistance either from insurgents or from the States. In the Virginia convention of 1788 Patrick Henry had said: "I never will give up that darling word 'requisitions;' my country may give it up, the majority may wrest it from me, but I never will give it up till my grave." Nevertheless, when the requisitions on the States were given up, the chief cause of dispute in the Union was removed. Up to this time the only distinctly sectional legislation had been the assumption of the State debts and the fixing of the national capital; and these two had been set off against each other. If peace continued, there was every prospect of a healthy growth of national spirit.
CHAPTER VIII.
FEDERAL SUPREMACY (1793-1801).
81. REFERENCES.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES.—W. E. Foster, References to Presidential
Administrations, 1-8; Justin Winsor, Narrative and Critical History,
VII. 294-314, 319, 320, 329-336, 454-456, 513-519; Channing and Hart,
Guide, §§ 162, 166.
HISTORICAL MAPS.—Nos. 1, 4, this volume (Epoch Maps, Nos. 7, 9);
MacCoun, Historical Geography; Scribner, Statistical Atlas, Plate 13;
J. Morse, American Geography.
GENERAL ACCOUNTS.—J. B McMaster, United States, II. 89-557; H. Von
Holst, Constitutional History, I. 112-167; J. Schouler, United States,
I. 221-501; R. Hildreth, United States, IV. 411-704; V. 25-418; T.
Pitkin, United States, II. 356-500 (to 1797); George Tucker, United
States, I. 504-628, II. 21-145; Bryant and Gay, Popular History, IV.
123-144; Bradford, Constitutional History, 125-201.
SPECIAL HISTORIES.—Standard lives of Washington, especially Sparks, Marshall, and Irving; C. F. Adams, Life of John Adams; Henry Adams, Albert Gallatin; H. C. Lodge, Washington, II. 129-269; J. T. Morse, Jefferson, 146-208, and John Adams, 241-310; G. Pellew, John Jay, 262-339; S. H. Gay, Madison, 193-251; George Gibbs, Administrations of Washington and Adams, I., II.; W. H. Trescott, Diplomatic History; T. Lyman, Diplomacy; J. C. Hamilton, Republic, V., VI.